Individual rate constants of methyl radical reactions in the pyrolysis of dimethyl ether

Abstract

Dimethyl ether was pyrolyzed in a flow system at 10 to 80 Torr and 1005 K. The average concentration of CH3 radicals in the reactor was measured by ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy. Product yields were measured by gas chromatography. The system was simulated using a computer program, taking into account the warm-up of the entering gas and the occurrence of secondary reactions. Rate constants were varied to find values consistent with experimental observations. The limiting, high pressure rate constant for the recombination of CH3 was estimated to be 1010.5 ± 0.5ℓ mol−1 s−1. Estimated rate constants for the reactions[Formula: see text]were 107.12 ± 0.2ℓ mol−1 s−1 and 107.5 ± 0.4ℓ mol−1 s−1, respectively.